Niner Noise
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Why the red zone is of utmost importance to the 49ers in 2017

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CA - NOVEMBER 02: Michael Crabtree #15 of the San Francisco 49ers catches a pass short of the goal line against the St. Louis Rams during the fourth quarter at Levi's Stadium on November 2, 2014 in Santa Clara, California. The St. Louis Rams defeated the San Francisco 49ers 13-10. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - NOVEMBER 02: Michael Crabtree #15 of the San Francisco 49ers catches a pass short of the goal line against the St. Louis Rams during the fourth quarter at Levi's Stadium on November 2, 2014 in Santa Clara, California. The St. Louis Rams defeated the San Francisco 49ers 13-10. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, IL – OCTOBER 16: Brian Hoyer #2 of the Chicago Bears looks to pass against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first half of the game at Soldier Field on October 16, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – OCTOBER 16: Brian Hoyer #2 of the Chicago Bears looks to pass against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first half of the game at Soldier Field on October 16, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Quarterback Brian Hoyer’s Red-Zone Effectiveness

If we were to look at statistics alone, quarterback Brian Hoyer would be at his best within the red zone.

In fact, one might argue it’s his best area on the field. Just check out the splits:

Brian Hoyer Field-Position Splits Table
Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass
Split Value Cmp Att Inc Cmp% Yds TD 1D Int Rate Sk Y/A AY/A
Field Position Own 1-10 25 42 17 59.52 303 0 12 2 61.9 0 7.2 5.07
Own 1-20 112 183 71 61.20 1532 1 62 8 71.6 9 8.4 6.51
Own 21-50 319 504 185 63.29 4073 1 205 10 80.9 30 8.1 7.23
Opp 49-20 212 379 167 55.94 2537 11 122 6 79.7 20 6.7 6.56
Red Zone 71 134 63 52.99 469 31 41 2 94.2 6 3.5 7.46

Provided by Pro-Football-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 7/10/2017.

Out of 44 career touchdowns thrown, 31 of these have come within the red zone. And against just two interceptions. Even better, Hoyer owns a 94.2 passer rating within opponents’ 20-yard lines — another hopeful indication for 2017.

But there’s a downside.

Remember, those touchdown scores spike a passer rating. And the 52.99 completion percentage — lower than any other area — is a bit of a worry.

This, from Niner Noise’s Rich Madrid, might explain it:

Madrid is showing the slight ball pat Hoyer makes before each pass attempt. In some cases, Hoyer might be able to get away with this over an elongated field where the converging distances are greater.

But in the red zone, this split-second habit can be the difference between an open receiver in the end zone and a deflected pass or interception.

It’s not something Hoyer can get away with often, especially when the field is so small and the room with which to work is so tiny.